A reading titled ‘Why do economists describe climate change as a market failure?’ by Alex Bowen, Simon Dietz and Naomi Hicks, that discusses how since climate change does not maximise societal welfare, it is a market failure. The reading focuses on the ‘greenhouse-gas externality’ that describes the indirect impact of climate change on future generations and in developing countries. The reading also discusses the implications of externalities and market failures for economic policies to reduce carbon emissions and switch to low-carbon technologies.

Students will learn about how climate change can influence markets and policies. They will also learn about externalities, market failures and low-carbon initiatives. Students will further learn about how market failures and externalities can influence economic policies with regards to climate change.